Procurement of electronic attack systems: Federal Council approves participation in the Knifefish Memorandum of Understanding
Bern, 14.10.2026 — Switzerland wants to modernise its electronic warfare capabilities and so is taking part in a European programme to procure electronic attack systems. At its meeting on 14 October, the Federal Council approved Switzerland’s participation in the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of electromagnetic combat capabilities for electronic attack (MoU Knifefish).
The Swiss Armed Forces are modernising their electronic warfare (EW) capabilities. This involves procuring systems that can detect, influence and jam electromagnetic signals.
The Netherlands is running a programme to procure electronic attack systems, called Knifefish. Switzerland intends to support the procurement of such systems and to boost cooperation with European partner countries. Germany and Denmark are already participating in the programme, and Sweden intends to join it by means of an amendment agreement. The Federal Council has now approved Switzerland’s participation in the Knifefish MoU. This builds on Sawfish, the tactical electronic warfare systems programme which Switzerland joined in November 2025.
Joint procurement improves interoperability
Switzerland’s participation in the MoU strengthens defence cooperation with European countries and is in line with the Federal Council’s Defence Policy Strategy of 20 June 2025, one aspect of which is the targeted expansion of cooperation with neighbouring countries and other European partners. Joint procurement brings operational and logistical advantages. Material and data can be better coordinated, and there can be shared use of test equipment and spare parts. Switzerland can benefit from economies of scale and lower purchase prices in particular.
As is already the case in the Sawfish programme, the MoU allows Switzerland to decide which projects it wishes to participate in on a case-by-case basis. Switzerland’s neutrality is guaranteed. Switzerland can withdraw from the programme at any time if any of the programme members become involved in an armed conflict.
Aspects of electronic warfare
EW systems allow the operating country to use the electromagnetic spectrum (covering radio, radar and other electronic signals) to carry out operational and defensive activities aimed at monitoring and utilising the spectrum for its own needs, while at the same time blocking it for use by the enemy. Armed forces use EW to gather information, "camouflage" their own systems and jam enemy signals. There are three aspects to EW: electronic attack, electronic protection and electronic support. Electronic attack makes it more difficult for enemy forces to use the electromagnetic spectrum; electronic protection safeguards one’s own systems against interference; and electronic support is used to detect and analyse signals.
EW has become an essential element in combined arms warfare. Tactically, it gives the Swiss Armed Forces a crucial operational advantage.